Philosophies in Africa: Research Focus in 2025/2026

The academic discipline of philosophy is still defined by a Eurocentric framework that excludes philosophical traditions and actors from vast regions of the globe, not least among these the rich and diverse traditions of African philosophy. Consequently, African philosophers rarely appear in teaching curricula or as speakers in European and North American academic settings. Their current omission from mainstream discourses and teaching materials cannot only be ascribed to unfamiliarity or ignorance of their ideas; it reflects a long-standing historical devaluation and marginalization of African philosophy from a long list of European thinkers who, like Hegel, explicitly rejected African philosophy as part of a global historiography of philosophy. 

The GloPhi Center is committed to increasing the visibility of African voices and reversing their historical exclusion from the philosophical canon. This involves highlighting the richness and diversity of African philosophies, both in their historical breadth and contemporary relevance. For the next two years (2025-2026), our efforts to make African philosophies accessible for academic research and public discourse follows a dual approach. First, as part of our ongoing project to create an extensive database of philosophical works, practices, and institutions worldwide, we are collecting both textual and oral works from Africa and the African diaspora, expressed in both indigenous and colonial languages. The selection of these works, as well as the production of commentaries, will be carried out in collaboration with experts in African philosophies with diverse lingual competencies and in designated focus periods.

Second, we are organizing a range of events designed to open up spaces of academic discourse that allow marginalized voices to be heard. These include workshops, lecture series, and summer schools for fostering discussion of non-Western philosophical approaches and methods and integrating them into academic research and teaching. The events are thought of platforms enabling polylogue, i.e. multi-voiced, collaborative dialogue, bringing together scholars from diverse fields, cultures, and intellectual traditions. The method of polylogue allow us to address complex questions from multiple perspectives and to meaningfully integrate Philosophies in Africa into global conversations.

Lecture Series, Workshops, and Summer Schools

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Futures of Philosophizing in Africa
(Early-Career Workshop 2026)

Philosophizing in African Languages
(Lectures Series 2025)

The Art and Philosophical Significance of Storytelling
(Summer School 2025)

Places of African Philosophies
(International Workshop 2025)

Language Focus

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